Single-vendor vRAN is now the main way in which cloud-native RAN is being deployed – but implementations still aim to deliver the benefits of open RAN, finds STL Partners
3 min read- Most virtualised RAN deployments presently are of single-vendor vRAN, with only limited multi-vendor openness
- But the telcos involved are still aiming to realise some of the benefits of pure-play open RAN
- In particular, portability across multiple containers-as-a-service (CaaS) layers is emerging as a strong unique selling point (USP)
LONDON – 12 May 2025 – Most large-scale deployments of cloud-native RAN at Tier 1 telcos are currently based on single-vendor virtualised RAN (vRAN): all or most parts of the stack supplied by a single vendor, with more or less limited use of open RAN-compliant interfaces between them. But operators are deploying vRAN in innovative ways that preserve many open RAN benefits.
This is the key takeaway from STL Partners’ latest update to its Telco cloud deployment tracker, which reviews deployments of virtualised network functions (VNFs) and infrastructure in live networks during 2024 and Q1 2025.
“Tier 1 advocates of open, disaggregated networking are implementing vRAN in ways that at least capture some of the benefits of open RAN architecture,” claims David Martin, senior analyst and author of the study.
The report also takes a deep dive into the development and deployment of vRAN and open RAN platforms that can be ported across multiple CaaS layers. Martin argues that the cloud-based character of open RAN was relatively overlooked, while all the attention was placed on integration of the CU/DU and radios from multiple vendors, and on the performance challenges with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware.
Now, however, most vRAN and open RAN vendors can demonstrate interoperability of their platforms across multiple virtualisation layers; while “lack of interoperability across clouds may prove a long-term disadvantage for Ericsson”, Martin claims.
Platforms by vRAN vendors vary considerably in respect of the multi-vendor openness of different parts of their stack – and the report discusses in detail the ways in which leading telcos’ deployments seek to utilise and extend those platforms’ open features for greater flexibility, multi-vendor openness and interoperability.
Open RAN readiness of vendor platforms as currently deployed
“There is now a growing number of proof points that it is possible to run RAN workloads at scale on the public cloud”, Martin concludes.
Find out more insights from the report by downloading a summary here.
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STL Partners is a leading research and consulting company that focuses on the telecom industry and adjacent markets by helping telcos and their partners innovate, grow and stay ahead of the competition.
